The LOOP
The Friday Loop - December 5, 2025
VIRGINIA MAN ARRESTED OVER JAN. 6 PIPE BOMBS
Federal officials yesterday announced the FBI had arrested 30-year-old Brian Cole Jr. of Woodbridge, Virginia, in connection with the pipe bombs planted — but never detonated — outside the Republican and Democratic national party headquarters the night before the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. Nearly five years later, investigators have not yet identified a motive and have not disclosed what evidence ultimately linked Cole to the case.
FLAGS FLY HALF-STAFF FOR FALLEN NATIONAL GUARDSWOMAN
President Donald Trump ordered all U.S. and federal facilities to fly the American flag at half-staff Dec. 4 in honor of Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom of the West Virginia Army National Guard, who was shot and killed near the White House the day before Thanksgiving.
AFGHAN NATIONAL CHARGED WITH 1st-DEGREE MURDER
Twenty-nine-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal has been charged with first-degree murder in the ambush-style shooting that killed National Guardswoman Sarah Beckstrom just blocks from the White House last week, federal prosecutors announced. Beckstrom was just 20 years old.
COLUMN CONFRONTS ARMY FOR CUTTING CATHOLIC CONTRACTS
The U.S. Army recently canceled a range of Catholic chapel support contracts. In an opinion column at The Hill, the First Liberty Institute's Christopher Motz argued that the move compromises the ability of Catholic service members and families to practice their faith.
UNIVERSITY TO PAY VICTIMS OF COVID SHOT MANDATE
After half a decade of legal battles, 18 students and employees of the University of Colorado’s Anschutz School of Medicine will be awarded $10.3 million in damages, tuition, and lawyers’ fees after they were denied religious accommodations to mandatory COVID-19 shots.
CHILDREN'S BOOK BRINGS 'SANTA' BACK TO ST NICHOLAS
A new children’s picture book brings its readers on a journey through the life of Saint Nicholas, the Catholic bishop who inspired the legend of Santa Claus. Written by Mike McGrew and illustrated by Kim Merritt, 'The Boy Who Would be Santa' aims to inform children about Christmas’ true religious significance, inspiring them to pursue sanctity.
POLL: DEMS MUCH LESS RELIGIOUS THAN REPUBLICANS
Democrats are significantly less religious than Republicans by several major measures, and the gaps widen sharply when race and ethnicity are factored in, according to a new analysis from the Pew Research Center. Among Republicans, for example, 52% say they pray every day. Among Democrats? Only 35%. Here are the rest of the numbers.
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FAITH FORGED IN BEAUTY!
Metal holy cards - several available. Fantastic stocking stuffers! Holiness and beauty together.
SYNODAL COMMISSION ON FEMALE DEACONS PUNTS
A papal commission tasked by the late Pope Francis with studying whether women may be ordained as deaconesses has issued a concluding statement that does not permanently resolve the question, instead passing responsibility for any further discernment to Pope Leo.
COURT: CATHOLIC ORGS CAN DISMISS 'TRANS' EMPLOYEES
The Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled this week that the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis was within its rights when it lawfully dismissed a “transgender” librarian from a Catholic school. The ruling reaffirms broad constitutional protections for religious employment decisions, setting a higher standard for future attempts to bring Catholic schools to court for holding employees to Catholic teaching.
LEWIS & TOLKIEN AGAINST GRIMDARK
Two of the most influential writers of the 20th century had a war and a myth-informed imagination in common, making their friendship seem almost inevitable. But in fact, it was a eucatastophe
CATHOLIC 101
As the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12 draws near, many Catholics are beginning a novena to her that will conclude in time for the celebration. If you are unsure about undertaking the novena, it's not too late! Here's how.
SAINT OF THE DAY
Today the Church celebrates St. Gerald of Mayo, an English monk who built a monastery in Ireland and became the first abbot there. He later became bishop of Mayo, and in that role he unflinchingly rejected corruption and abuse throughout his diocese, reforming the local Church and making sure clergy lived pure and holy lives.
DAILY PSALM
"The Lord is my light and my salvation." (Psalm 27)
DAILY READINGS
Today's Mass readings.
AMERICAN ARTIST TO PAINT PAPAL PORTRAIT
Renowned portrait artist Igor Babailov has been commissioned to create an official portrait of the first American Pope! Babailov met with the Holy Father at the Vatican Oct. 1 to begin the initial stages of the project... including this preliminary life-drawing study.
